Ion-responsive behavior of ionic-liquid surfactant aggregates with applications in controlled release and emulsification.
We propose a simple but efficient, rapid, and quantitative ion-responsive micelle system based on counter-anion exchange of a surfactant with an imidazolium unit. The ion-exchange reaction results in the amphiphilic-to-hydrophobic transition of the imidazolium salt, leading to the destruction of the micelles, which has been successfully applied to controlled release and emulsification. The proposed design offers a novel alternative stimulus to control these smart physical aggregates besides pH, temperature and light-with extra advantages. Our finding greatly benefits both fundamental research and industry.
Shen
Yanfei
Y
State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry and Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, PR China.
Zhang
Yuanjian
Y
Kuehner
Daniel
D
Yang
Guifu
G
Yuan
Fuyu
F
Niu
Li
L
D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000737:chemistry*; D052578:Ionic Liquids / Q000737:chemistry*; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry; D008823:Micelles; D010316:Particle Size; D012492:Salts / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
D004655:Emulsions; D007093:Imidazoles; D052578:Ionic Liquids; D007477:Ions; D008823:Micelles; D012492:Salts; D013501:Surface-Active Agents